How to Navigate in a World of Disinformation? by Social Physics and Complexity Lab (SPAC)

Do we share fake news because we overestimate our understanding of the world and our ability to detect misinformation? Do we believe we know more than we actually do?

The interactive and highly visual exhibition 'How to Navigate in a World of Disinformation?' was designed with a dual purpose: to improve the ability to distinguish between true and false information while exploring whether overconfidence affects this ability, and to gather data on how factors like gender and age play a role in this process.

The exhibition makes research on a major global issue accessible to those with limited exposure to science by using real-time analog data collection and data physicalization to overcome barriers to science engagement.

How: Targeted at teenagers and adults, the exhibit uses large panels to create a maze-like experience, guiding visitors through five interactive steps:

1) Classify headlines: Visitors use punch cards to determine whether given headlines are true or false.

2) Estimate confidence: They predict their performance by placing a ball into one of five slots, each representing a different confidence level.

3) Compare with others: As they walk around the panel, they see how their confidence compares to other participants through transparent ball bins.

4) Check accuracy: Visitors verify their actual results by comparing their punch cards with the correct answers on the next panel, then calculate their calibration error — the difference between their estimated and actual scores.
5) Visualize calibration: By placing stickers on a circular shooting target (0 = perfectly calibrated, -1 to -10 = overconfidence, and 1 to 10 = underconfidence), they can compare their calibration error with others at the exhibition.

The exhibit includes real-time result collection, allowing participants to see their own performance, compare with others, and reflect on their ability to detect misinformation. This fosters discussions and challenges preconceived ideas about knowledge and confidence.

Design: The chosen representation moves from the refined, high-tech, digital world to the physical, imperfect environment. In contrast to the majority of modern infographics, our visualizations are handmade using basic materials such as punch cards, plastic balls and colorful stickers.

This approach makes the visualization very physical, affordable, easy to replicate and inclusive, i.e., accessible to a wide range of demographics, including low-tech and older individuals. It does not require complex mathematical notions (the distributions and targets are intuitive) and fosters a more sensory connection with data, allowing participants to immerse themselves and see their direct contribution to the activity’s results.

In summary, by relying on a very visual and hands-on design, visitors find their way out of the “maze”, through reflection on theirs and other’s’ ability (and confidence) to discriminate between true and false information.

When/Where: First showcased during the 2023 European Researchers' Night (ERN) — a free public event aimed at bringing science closer to the public — the exhibition attracted significant attention. Due to high interest, it has since been re-displayed at multiple events, including institutional open days and ERN 2024.

This exhibit was developed as part of the research project “FARE: Fake News and Real People” funded by the European Research Council.